World War I was a time of rather rapid technical change when it came to aviation. Aircraft types went from being the best to being obsolete in a very short time. It was something that caused a see-saw in ascendancy in the air between the Allied powers and those of Germany. One of the best of the British was the SE.5/5a. Powered by a  number of different liquid cooled engines, the SE.5, along with the Sopwith Camel, was the main fighter for the RFC/RAF from its introduction into 56 Squadron in April 1917 until the end of the war.

During that time, the aircraft was flown by a considerable number of men whose prowess in the air enabled them to reach ace status. In 56 Squadron alone, it was flown by no fewer than 26 aces. The men who were successful with the SE.5 and later SE.5a is like a who's who of British aces. Ball, McCudden, Barlow, Mannock, Beaucham, Bishop and others were among the near 100 men who were able to include the SE.5 amongst the aircraft that helped them achieve that lofty goal. At least a fifth of these men were able to amount scores of 20 or more to their credit.

The author has chosen to arrange the book in the order that the unit received the SE.5, starting with 56 Squadron in April of 1917 and concluding with  92 Squadron in May of 1918. It also includes those few units in the Middle East that were able to latch on to some of these aircraft.

The book has a goodly number of 'there I was' stories, superb period photos and the excellent profiles and plan views of illustrator Harry Dempsey. In the appendix section there is a full listing, by squadron, of aces who scored with the SE.5.

Overall, an excellent addition to the very popular 'Aces' series and one that I am sure you will find as enjoyable and interesting a read as did I.

July 2007

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